Share via

Mike Brearley says there is a fine line between legitimate methods of unsettling opponents and damaging the image of the sport

MCC has a maxim: “The Spirit of Cricket” — a phrase now incorporated, as a preamble, in the Laws of Cricket. One of the club’s former presidents, Doug Insole, used to say in his annual pre-season meetings with the county captains: “You can drive a horse and coaches through the Laws of Cricket.” And to the Essex players he would say, “It’s good to win trophies, but it’s not the be-all and end-all.”

He was right. For the game to be played properly, something else is needed besides following the Laws, or only being in it for the winning. It’s hard